U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has expressed support for the recent signing of the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act by President Trump. The legislation aims to combat the distribution of fentanyl-related substances by permanently classifying them as Schedule I drugs, thus keeping them off Texas streets.
“This legislation is essential to stopping the flow of illicit fentanyl that has infiltrated our nation and taken hundreds of thousands of innocent lives,” stated Sen. Cornyn. He further commended President Trump for promptly enacting the bill to address the fentanyl crisis and enhance community safety.
Fentanyl, a controlled substance under federal law, is often chemically altered by manufacturers to create similar substances that evade legal restrictions. These fentanyl-related substances contribute significantly to drug overdose deaths across the U.S., being responsible for nearly 70% of such fatalities.
In 2018, under President Trump’s administration, a temporary measure was put in place to restrict all fentanyl-related substances. Congress has since extended this order multiple times until its expiration on March 31, 2025. The HALT Fentanyl Act makes this classification permanent.
The act received bipartisan support in the Senate Judiciary Committee and passed through both chambers earlier this year. Key provisions include amendments to the Controlled Substances Act, protection for legitimate medical use of FDA-approved fentanyl, support for law enforcement efforts against illicit trafficking, and facilitation of scientific research on these substances.
The law has garnered backing from over 40 advocacy groups and a coalition representing families affected by fentanyl.
